A Knoxville woman has filed a $7 million wrongful death lawsuit against the driver of a pickup truck that sped backwards through a crowded parking lot after last year’s Independence day fireworks show in Oak Ridge and killed her husband, who died pushing one of his daughters out of the way.
Julia Robinson filed the lawsuit last week in Anderson County Circuit Court against Lee Cromwell of Oak Ridge, who is also facing criminal charge sin the incident that occurred on July 4th, 2015. 12 people were injured and James Robinson died when the truck plowed into people and vehicles at a high rate of speed. Robinson was struck after pushing one of his daughters out of the path of the truck.
The lawsuit states that Cromwell operated his vehicle negligently, failed to exercise due care, not keeping a proper lookout and not keeping his vehicle under control. Mrs. Robinson is seeking $5 million for her husband’s wrongful death, $1 million for her injuries and the mental anguish caused by the crash and $500,000 each for her two daughters, both of whom were among the injured.
Cromwell has been indicted on charges of vehicular homicide, 12 counts of aggravated assault and reckless endangerment.
Another couple injured in the incident filed a $450,000 lawsuit against Cromwell earlier this year.